Each mix is designed for a specific purpose, see below which benefits you should be expecting:

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Cover Crops

Choosing the right Cover Crops

Goals & benefits

Goals / Species Nitrogen fixation Boost Phosphorus Boost Potassium Soil Erosion Control Soil Compaction Relief Water Retention Weed suppression Pest/Disease managemen
GoFast
+
++
+
++
+
+
+
+
Profile
++
++
+
+
+
+
++
++
Jet SAS Fly
++
++
++
++
+++
++
+++
+++
Bledor SAS Fly
+++
++
++
++
++
++
+++
+++
ThirtyOne
+
+
++
+++
+
+++
+++
++

Carbon / Nitrogen ratio and nitrogen release:

Legume cover crops will fix atmospheric nitrogen in the soil, providing natural fertilizer to the following crop. This can increase yields and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers. The nitrogen release rate from legumes varies, offering either a quick boost to the next crop or a slower, sustained release, allowing you to optimize your plan the for next crop.

Overview of estimated nitrogen benefits (Nitrogen kg/ha):

Mixture Composition Estimated N Available to next Crop (kg/ha)* Estimated N Release Speed
GoFast
~7
Fast
Profile
~28
Moderate
Jet SAS Fly
~32
Fast
Bledor SAS Fly
~46
Moderate/Fast
ThirtyOne
~13
Slow/Moderate
Mixture Composition Estimated N Available to next Crop (kg/ha)* Estimated N Release Speed
22% Phacelia + 60% White Mustard + 18% Berseem Clover
~30
Slow/Moderate
65% Purple Vetch + 19% Berseem Clover + 16% Phacelia
~50
Fast
45% Oil Radish + 55% Hairy Vetch
~52
Fast
45% Purple Vetch + 40% Hairy Vetch + 15% Late Brown Mustard
~50
Fast
56% Black Oat + 36% Spring Common Vetch + 8% Berseem Clover
~8
Slow/Moderate
55% Forage Sorghum + 25% Sunflower + 20% Foxtail Millet
~7
Slow

* The information provided herein regarding the nitrogen benefits of utilizing cover crops is based on general agricultural research and practices. The actual benefits experienced may vary significantly depending on specific local soil conditions, climate, management practices, and other environmental factors. This document does not guarantee any specific outcome in terms of nitrogen fixation or the resulting economic benefits from reduced need for chemical fertilizers.

Users are advised to consult with agricultural experts, conduct soil tests, and consider local conditions and practices. The provider of this information shall not be held liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages or losses arising from the use of cover crops based on the information provided.

Goals / Species Plant after: Plant before: Sowing time: Technology Can be consumed as animal feed? Winter-kill? Other
GoFast
Various (eg corn, sunflower)
Spring crop
Fall
Direct drilling
No
Yes
Profile New
Various (eg corn, sunflower)
Spring crop
Fall
Direct drilling
No
Yes
Jet SAS Fly
Wheat (and other cereals)
Spring crop
Summer
SAS Fly (rotary spreader)
No
Yes
Bledor SAS Fly
Wheat (and other cereals)
Winter or spring crop
Summer
SAS Fly (rotary spreader)
No
Yes
Technically allows farmer to plant wheat after wheat without crop rotation
ThirtyOne
Various (eg corn, sunflower)
Winter or spring crop
Fall
Direct drilling
Yes
Yes

Every plant has a function:

Types Examples Why choose them
Legumes
Clover, Vetches, Peas, Beans
Nitrogen Fixation: Legumes capture atmospheric nitrogen, converting it into a form usable by future crops, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers.
Grasses
Rye, Barley, Oats, Wheat
Soil Erosion Prevention: Grasses have rapid growth and extensive root systems that prevent soil erosion, improve soil structure, and add organic matter. Grasses also help to retain water in the soil.
Brassicas and other broad leaves
Radishes, turnips, mustards
Soil Compaction Relief: Their deep taproots break up compacted soil layers, helping suppress soil-borne pests and diseases, with quick establishment.

In more details that looks as following:

Goals / Species Nitrogen fixation Boost Phosphorus Boost Potassium Soil Erosion Control Soil Compaction Relief Water Retention Weed suppression Pest/Disease management
Clovers
+++
++
+
++
++
+++
++
Vetches
+++
++
+
++
++
+++
++
Peas
+++
+
+
+
++
+
Beans
+++
+
+
+
++
+
Rye
++
+++
++
+++
+++
+++
Barley
++
+++
+
+++
+++
+++
Oats
++
+++
+
+++
+++
+++
Wheat
++
+++
+
+++
+++
+++
Radishes
+++
+++
++
+++
++
++
++
Turnips
+++
+++
++
+++
++
++
++
Mustards
++
+
++
+++
+
++
+++
Phacelia
+
+
++
+++
+++
++

Want to know even more?

Here is some more detailed information from our agronomists:

Nitrogen Fixation:

Leguminous cover crops, such as clovers (Trifolium spp.), vetches (Vicia spp.), peas (Pisum sativum), and beans (Phaseolus spp.), are integral to sustainable agriculture due to their symbiotic relationship with Rhizobium bacteria. This symbiosis facilitates the biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) process, where atmospheric nitrogen (N2) is converted into ammonia (NH3), a form of nitrogen accessible to plants. This process significantly reduces reliance on synthetic nitrogenous fertilizers, mitigating environmental impact and enhancing soil fertility through the natural enrichment of the nitrogen pool.

Boost Phosphorus:

Cover crops like clovers and vetches, alongside brassicas such as radishes (Raphanus sativus) and turnips (Brassica rapa), play a pivotal role in phosphorus (P) cycling within agroecosystems. These species can exude organic acids from their roots, which solubilize bound phosphorus compounds in the soil, increasing phosphorus bioavailability. Upon decomposition, their biomass further contributes to the soil phosphorus pool, making it readily available for absorption by subsequent crops, thus enhancing phosphorus-driven metabolic processes and plant growth.

Boost Potassium:

The root systems of grasses (e.g., rye, barley, oats, wheat) and certain brassicas (e.g., radishes, turnips) are effective in potassium (K) mobilization. These cover crops can access potassium bound within soil particles and organic matter, converting it into soluble forms that are readily uptaken by plant roots. This process is crucial for activating numerous plant enzymes, maintaining osmotic balance, and supporting photosynthesis and protein synthesis, thereby contributing to the overall health and productivity of the crop rotation system.

Soil Erosion Control and Moisture Management:

Grasses such as rye (Secale cereale), barley (Hordeum vulgare), oats (Avena sativa), and wheat (Triticum spp.) are lauded for their ability to mitigate soil erosion and enhance moisture retention. Their extensive and fibrous root systems anchor the soil, reducing displacement by wind and water. Additionally, the canopy formed by these grasses minimizes soil surface evaporation, promoting moisture conservation. This dual function not only preserves soil integrity but also ensures the availability of water, a critical resource for crop development.

Soil Compaction Relief:

Brassica cover crops, notably radishes and turnips, are recognized for their bio-drilling capability. Their deep, penetrating taproots exert a biophysical force on compacted soil layers, creating macro-pores that enhance soil aeration and water infiltration. This alleviation of soil compaction facilitates root penetration, gas exchange, and microbial activity, key factors in the promotion of a vigorous root system in subsequent crops.

Weed and Pest/Disease Management:

Cover crops, through their physical presence and biochemical interactions, offer a competitive advantage against weeds and serve as a biological control measure against pests and diseases. The dense canopy formed by grasses and certain broadleaves, such as mustards (Brassica spp.), suppresses weed emergence by limiting light penetration to the soil surface. Furthermore, the incorporation of diverse cover crops can disrupt the habitat preferences of pests and pathogens, reducing their population dynamics and interrupting disease transmission cycles. This natural suppression contributes to a reduced dependency on chemical herbicides and pesticides, aligning with integrated pest management (IPM) principles and promoting agroecosystem health.

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